Vehicle.



PATENTED SEPT. 25, 1906. W. E. BIRKET. VEHICLE "12 C a Wi Z k .a. m

PATENTED SEPT. 25, 1906.

W. E. BIBKBT.

VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 26. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 iraaed No. 831,594 PATENTED SEPT. 25, 1906.

W. E. BIRKBT. VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-26. 1905.

,a SHEETS-SHEETS.

a/ZZZZOMZ of this application,

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VEHICLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 25, 1906.

Application filed August 26. 1905. Serial No. 275.863..

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM E. BIRKET, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention pertains to improvements in mechanism of that class known as horseless vehicles, and relates more particularly to drivingear, such vehicles having combined therewit a compensating means.

The particular object of my invention is to provide a compensating device for horseless vehicles which will permit both or all of the ground-wheels'to be power-driven, while allowing them free movement, so that they can run ahead of the applied power.

A further object of my present invention is to greatly simplify and ing construction in vehicles of this class, while producing a thoroughly eliioient drivingrmeans.

n the appended drawings, forming a part Figure 1 is a side view of a wheel of the vehicle, showing a driving sprocket-wheel and a pawl-shifting member carried on the axle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the wheel with the sprocket-wheel and pawl-shifting member and axle removed. Fig. 3 is a perspective view, in part section,

of a portion of the sprocket-wheel, showing a Fig. 4 1s a pawls carried therein. sectional view of a portion of the said sprocketavheel, showing one of the pa-wls, said view being taken on line X X, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the sprocket-wheel, taken on line Y Y other pawl. Fig. 6 is a partial sectional elevation of a ground-wheel, showing a portion of its hub and the sprocket-wheel in section. Fig. 7 is a side view of the sprocket-wheel, the pawl-shifting member, and the axle in cross-section. Fig. 8 is a view of a portion of the back side of the sprocket-wheel, showing the ratchet members therein, which are illustrated in Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6. same, showing the axle in cross-section.

The ground-wheel is indicated by the reference-letter A, having the spokes B and hub C, respectively; Through the latter extends hereinafter cheapen compensat-- of said Fig. 3,-show-ing an- 'atthe outside of the engage separate ratchet-wheels. Fig. 10 1s a side view of the i the axle 1), receiving at its outer end a wheelretaining' nut or cap E. The axle is loosely carried in bearings on the body of the vehicle, so that it is tree to revolve, there being but a portion of one bearing shown at F in Fig. 6. To the fian 'e G of the wheel-hub is secured a pair of ratdhet-wheels (indicated by H andJ) by means of a series of pins or screws K, Figs. 6 and 8, there being interposed between the wheel H and the flange G a plate L, likewise secured to the flange by said pins or screws l x. desire to state, however, that anyother means of securing the plate and the ratchets to the hub may be resorted to, and they may even form a part of said hub, it be-,v ing intended in any case tionary on said hub for the purposes to be described. The two ratchetwheels consist, preferably, of four teeth, each evenly spaced apart, as shown, the teeth of one being opposed or set opposite to those of the other wheel, as shown, andthese may be made separate or'may be formed in one solid member, as desired. I next provide a sprocket-wheel bored out centrally to pass over said ratchets with its inner face lying a ainst the plate L, as shown 1n Fig. 6. This Z3 is then followed by a plate 0, which lies against the wheel, being secured to the axle D, as by a key P, and adapted, therefore, to turn with said axle.

At Q and R are two radiatin slots in the sprocket-wheel, separated by a Tourth of the distance around the bore .\',and in each slot is a pawl, (one indicated byS and the otherby S,) these being in the slots R and Q, respectively. T heslot Q extends but half-way through the sprocket-wheel, and therefore its pawl S can only extend half-way, being exposed on the outer surface of said wheel, as shown in -Figs. 1, 6, and 7. The other slot extends entirely through the wheel, opening at both sides, as shown in Figs? and 8. The pawl S, carried in said slot, is exposed at the inside of the wheel, as in Figs. 3, 5, and 8 It will be understood bya glanceat Fig. 3 that one pawl is designed toprotrudc from the wheel into the bore N and that one of them is wheel and theother at are in line with-and There is .a recess-T behind each slot Q and R, having a spring U therein to keep the pawls thrown toward the ratchets with which theymredesigned to engage. Projecting .beyond--,the outer face oithe sprocket-wheeland i'orineda the inside, whereby they to have them sta- IIO with each pawl S and S is an extension 8 and t, respectively, designed to be engaged by the plate 0, hereinbefore described, and by which said pawls are shifted against the tension of their springs. The said plate 0 is acam in the form ofan ellipse, Fig. 7, having in its edge a recess V, within which is designed to travel a pin W, secured in the sprocketwheel.

In the position shownin Fig. 7 the shortest diameter of the cam is in line with the pawl S, which allows said pawl to approach and engage the ratchet-wheel for which it is intended. On thecontrary, the .pawl S is held out to its utmost limit by the cam at the greatest diameter, so that it is out of engage-.

ment with its ratchet-wheel. Now were the axleto remain stationary for the moment and the sprocket-wheel, to be turned toward the left. as .viewed in F ig.7, the pawls will be ady need to take up the position shown by dotted lines at a, I) being the position for the pawls S and S, respectively, and

; cam, and in. this progression it will' be observed that the pawl in this movement the pin W will likewise advance to the other end of the recess V of the will have moved up upon the cam portion at the left, thusdisengaging it from its ratchet-wheel, while the,

pawl S will follow down the opposite cam portion to the shortest diameter of the plate 7 0, thereby meeting andengaging its respective ratchet -wheel. In this movement, therefore, it will be seen that the positions of the pawls have just exactly been reversed from what they were before the movement,

one being thrown into and the other out of,

. engagement It is to be understood that the tions, due to the cam about which they vment with the ratchet-wheel J.

sprocket-wheel in being reversed, due to the .reversalof the engine or other agent, carries the vp'awls with it which alter their positravel, the latter being aflixed to the axle, which isheld momentarily by the friction ex isting between it and the bearings. The pin W in the ratchet-wheel travels through the mower the arrow the ground-wheel will berevolved in the same direction, since said ratchet Wheel J is firmly fixed. thereto.

While moving in this direction said groundwheel when traveling on the larger or outa. side curve as the vehicle turns as in a' circle it will run ahead of its power-that is, will revolve faster than the sprock'et vheel which receives the power by reason of having to move faster than the oppesite'ground-wheel,

also receiving power. Evidently if the vehicle is turned in the opposite direction the wheel that has ,run ahead of the power will be the driven one and the other will run ahead. If now the power is reversed, again viewing Fig. 7, the sprocket-wheel will be driven in the opposite direction, or contrary to the direction indicatedby the arrow, and

as this reversal takes place the pawls are carried around to the positions shown by dotted linesfas already explained, the cam causing the reversed position of'said pawls by permitting pawl S to engage the wheel'H'and withdrawing pawl S i from engagement with.

ratchet-wheel J. The'grot1nd\\*l1eel is thus power-driven in a direction opposite from that.

originally imparted to it. Again, it is to be seen that the wheel mayrun ahead of its power in this direction since the same conditions exist d. a, the ratchet-teeth can pass under the pawl and past it when the ground-wheel is compelled by circumstances to revolve faster than the power drives the sprocketwheel. I11 reversing the motion of the sprocket to drive in an opposite direction the friction between the axle and the bearings in which said axle is carried is greater than that existing between the pawlsand cam, so that said pawls are shifted at once to reverse them, the pin shifting at the same time to the other end of therecess V. Then the cam and shaft revolve with the sprocket and ground wheel. Evidently the disengaged pawl cannot.reach its ratchet unless the .sprocket is oscillated in the opposite direction to permit said pawl to approach nearer to the axle as it passes down'the slope of the cam. p

The plate L, secured to the wheel-hub, is merely employed as a'bearing-point for the sprocket-wheel and to hold the pawl S in its position within. the'slot R. The cam O atthe other side of the s rocket serves in the same capacity as'the p ate L by holding the sprocket in place, as well as the pawl S, in addition to its other office described. The boreN of the sprocket passes over the ratchetwheels with just enough play to ermit it to turn thereon, as upon a shaft, alt ough other means may be used for carrying the sprocket, if desired, since I do not intend to confine myself to my particular mode in this regard. Neither do I wish. to hold myself to the exact construction as to any of the other portions of my improved device, nor to the exact locationthereof, since it is possible to slightly alter the same and still lie within the meaning and intent of the invention. I

It is to be observed that the ground-wheels are free to turn on the axle and also that the axle is free to revolve in the bearings carrying it. The former conditions must'exist'in order that the wheels can revolve faster than the power-driven sprocket-wheel, which carrice the axle with it, and the axle must reratchets.

simple and of lower cost than others, while at the same time providing a driving means that is tl'ioroughly ellieient in all respects.

I have illustrated in Figs. 9 and it) a slight modification of the mechanism described. As before, the hub is indicated by the letter (I and the axle by l). The ratchet-wheels are represented by 3 and 3, which are a part of the hub, together with a collar 4, the latter being of the same diameter, or'lai'gcr, il desired, as the ratchet-wheels. The sprocketwheel is bored out to receive .this collar, which forms a partial bearing for said wheel; otherwise the same construction and ar rangemciit is used, with the exception of a dome or ca 5, which is bored to receive the axle. its llangc 6 is seciired'to the sprocketwheel by the stud-bolts 7. By this arrangement it it is desired to remove the wheel from its axle the retaining-nut is taken oil. The wheel may then be withdrawn, its ratchetwheels leaving the bore of the sprocketwheel, the ratehets also leaving the pawls.

The sprocket remains in a fixed position by reason of the cap 6 described, but it for any reason it is desired also to remove said wheel the stud-bolts 7 are withdrawn to free it, the cap remaining upon the axle. 'lhe advantages of this form may be at once recognized. A l'nrther advantage exists also that the dust Y and dirt cannot enter the pawls or ratchets,

since the device is tightly closed at each side. The parts can be reassembled in a reverse orderwith perfect ease.

I claim 1. A compensating -mechai iism comprising ground-wheels, a revoluble axle upon which the wheels are free to turn, a. member allixed' to each ground-wheel and provided with two series 01'' oppositely-l aced ratclnt-teeth, a driving-wheel for each ratchet member, the same being l rce to turn relatively to the axle, pawls carried by said .driving-wheel for engaging eitherset. oi ratchet-teeth, and means secured to the axle by which the pawls are reversed in position by the shilling ol the power-wheel with reference thereto.

2. A compensating mechanism comprising a revoluble axle, a ground-wheel revoluble thereon, a member rigid with relation to the wheel and revohible therewith and having two series of oppositel-y-i'accil teeth substantially 'as shown, a. power-wheel 'l'ree oi both the axle and grouinl-wheel, but adapted to drive the latter in either direction, a pair of pawls in the power-wheel each of which en-' gages its respective series of ratchet-teeth,

and a cam member rigidly carried on the axle engagement.

'laster than the power-wheel.

and revoliible therewith and with which the pawls contact, a reversal of movement of the powe1'wliee1 in either direction causing the pawls to shift about the cam member, the latter at such times changing the relation of the pawls and the ratchet-teeth, said cam remaining stationary during such reversal, due to frictionbetween the axle carrying it and the bearing in which said axle is carried, and a member carried by the power-wheel for causing the cain'inember and axle to revolve with it after each reversal of said powerwheel.

3. In mechanism oi" the character set forth,

engage said member when the direction of ro tation oi the power-wheel is reversed, said pawls being carried around the said-means.

by the power-wheel, the axle remaining stationary at such times, and means on the power-wheel for engaging and revolving the pawl-reversing means and the axle after thepawls have been thus reversed in position, the power-wheel then driving the groundwheel by means ot the pawl thus placed in 4. In mechanism of thecharacter dcscribcd, a revoliible axle, ground-wheels rcvoliible thereon, a member for driving each wheel, there being two series of oppositelyfaced ratchet-teeth thereon; a power-wheel carried upon the ratchet member and adapted for oscillationthereon but also adapted'to engage and drive the same at'each limit of the oscillatory movement,means between the power-wheel and ratchet-teeth for driving the ground-wheel, and means between the axle and the power-wheel for changing the driving relation of the ineansfin said power-wheel to that ol the teeth for driving ioo the ground-wheel in one direction or the.

other while permitting said wheel to revolve 5. ln mechanism of the character described a revoliible axle, grmind-whcels revolublc, thereon, a power-wheel lor driving each wheel said pt-nver-wheels being inde-,

pendent ol" the grouinl-whecls and axle, as to direct rigid connection therewith, a member having rigid driving relation with each ground-wheel and with which its respective power-wheel engages for driving said member and ground-wheel in either direction and upon which said power-wheel oscillates in there being one of such ground-Wheel, a ratchet member secured to.

each ground-wheel for driving it s'aidt mem- -.ber having a series of ratchet-teeth facing in one direction and a series facingin the other; 1

directionvand with relation to which ratchet member the power-wheel is adapted to oscil late, means within the power-wheel for engaging one orthe other of the two series of in the direction in which the ratchet-teeth, therelation of such engagement. being determined by the directionof oscillation'of thepower-wheel, such ratchet member and the ground-wheels being driven oscillated.

7. In mechanism of the character described, ground-wheels, a revoluble axle upon which the said wheels are revoluble, a powerwheel independent of the axle and wheel, there being ground-wheel, a ratchet member secured to each ground-wheel for driving the latter, said member having a series of ratchet-teeth fac ing in one direction anda series ofsimilar teeth facing in the opposite direction, the

' power-wheel being adapted to oscillate with relation to said ratchet member, means Within the power-wheel for engaging one or the other of the two series of ratchet-teeth, the

relation of such engagement being determined by the direction of oscillation of the power-wheel, such ratchet member and theground-w'heels being driven in the direction in-whichthe power-wheelv is oscillated, and means for limiting the extent of oscillation of the power-wheel in either direction-f and for maintaining the changed relation between the power-wheel and ratchet member.

8. In mechanism of the character: described, ground-wheels, a revoluble axle upon which the said wheels are revoluble, a powerwheel independent of the axle and wheel, there being one of such wheels for each ground-wheel, a ratchet member secured toeach ground-Wheel for driving the latter, said member having a series of ratchet-teethfacing in one direction and a series of Similar teeth facing in the opposite direction, the

power-wheel being adapted to oscillate with relation to said ratchet member, means with.

in the power-wheel for engaging one or the other of the two series of ratchet-teeth, thev relation of such engagement-being determined by the direction of oscillation-of-'the power-wheel, such ratchet member and" the power-wheel is one of such wheels for each- -ground-wheels being driven in the direction inwhich the power-wheels are driven,- means. for'limiting: the extent of oscillationof the power-Wheel in either direction, and other means for maintaining the driving relation berexcept for permitting the ground-Wheel to turn faster than the times described.

9; In mechanism of the character de scribed, arevoluble axle, ground-wheelsrev- 1 between the power-wheeland ratchet mem power-wheel at the.

oluble thereon, a ratchet member affixed to Y each Wheel, the same having two seriesof oppositel faced teeth, a power-wheel" for each groun -wheel. and carried independent or the said wheel, axle andratchet member, a pair of'spring-held pawls in the power-Wheel each of which ,engages'its respective set of teeth of the ratchet, a camis'ecured on the axle and revolubletherewith, both' pawls contacting therewith,- the oscillation of the power-wheel in one direction-moving the pawls around the periphery of the cam, the latter causing one pawl to move away from the teeth While permitting the other to engage the teeth, an oscillation in the other direction reversing that positionof the pawls, and means for limiting the extent ofv oscillation of the power-wheel in either direction with'reference to the cam for the purposes described and means for rotating said cam with the power-wheel to maintain the pawls in proper drivingrelation after being changed in position. a

10. In mechanism of the character described, "a revoluble axle, ground-wheels revoluble thereon, the axle and wheels also rev- -oluble' as a unit, aratchet member afiixed to each Wheel, each having two series of 0ppositely-faced teeth, a power-Wheel for each ground-wheel and carried independent thereof and independent of the axle and ratchet member, a pair of spring-held pawls set radi ally inthe power-wheel and'adapted to eniocgage the ratchet teeth, the power-wheel adapted to oscillate in either d'i rection relativelyto the ratchet member for the purposes described, a camsecured tothe axle and .aboutwhich thegpa-wls travelin the oscillatory movement of the power-wheel; the camand axle remaining stationary-during such movement due to friction between the latter and its bearings, one of the pawls being per mitted to shift into engagement with the ratchet member the other being removed therefrom by the-cam, and means for carrying the cam and axle with the power 'wheel, after the shifting of the pawls has taken place, to drive the direction. v k

11. In mechanism of the character de-,

scribed a revoluble axle,-"ground-wheels therefor, the same being revolubleon the said axle, a ratchet member rigidwith the ground wheel ,,and vhaving two series of ratchet-teeth, each series'facing in an oppoground-wheel in aidesired site direction, the faces of the teeth of one series coinciding in position with the faces of the teeth of the other series as shown, a power-wheel carried on the ratchet member and free to oscillate relatively thereto and to the axle and ground wheels, a pair of pawls carried in and by the power-wheel and shiftvpurposes described.

12. A compensating mechanism comprising the ground-wheel, a pair of ratchet-wheels having oppositely-placed teeth secured to said wheel, the axle upon which the wheel with its ratchet-wheels is adapted to revolve, a power-driven wheel carried on the ratchetwheel, a pair of pawls carried in the powerwheel, one adapted for engaging one of the ratchet-wheels and the other adapted to engage the remaining ratchet-wheel but one of which is 'in engagement at a time, a cam carried by and secured to the axle and operated by the power-wheel to disengageone of the, pawls and permitting engagement of the other with its respective ratchet-wheel, the ground-wheel adapted to revolve faster than the power-wheel at the times described and the ratchets to revolve within the said power-- wheel beneath the pawl then in driving engagement.

13. A compensating mechanism comprising the ground-wheel and axle, a pair of oppositely-placed ratchet-wheels affixed to said ground-wheel, a power-wheel bored out and carried upon the ratchet-wheels and adapted for oscillation thereon, a pair of spring-held pawls carried by said power-wheel and extending into the bore of the wheel to engage the teeth of-the ratchet-wheels, but one of said pawls adapted to engage at a time, a cam carried on the axle and with whose periphery the said pawls contact said cam adapted for changing the position of the pawls for the purposes described.

14. In mechanism of the character 'described in which the ground wheels are driven independently of one another and independent of the axle on which they are free to turn, the combination of the axle D and groumlwl1eelsA, the two series of oppositelyfaced ratchet-teeth H, J, for each wheel A, the faces of which coincide as described and shown and which are rigid with relation to the hubs of 'the ground-wheels, the sprocketwheel l\I partially revoluble with relationto said teeth, the ground-wheels, and axle, the

awls S, S, in the power-wheel arranged radially therein and substantially ninety degrees apart on the wheel, the ratchet-teeth being constantly engaged by one or the other of the pawls, the cam O secured to the axle 'and having a greater and a lesser diameter,

those diameters lying at right angles to one another substantially as shown, the springs U for holding the pawls in contact with the periphery of. the cam, the power-wheel and pawls adapted to shift with relation to the cam and axle for changing the position of the pawls, the greater diameter of the cam causing a pawl to leave the ratchet, the shorter diameter permitting the other pawl to en'- gage the ratchet as the respective pawls travel about said cam, the ratchet-teeth and ground-wheel adapted to run ahead of power-wheel and its pawls, and the member W for limiting'tlie oscillating movement of the power-wheel and pawls and holding the cam to revolve with said power-wheel to maintain the said pawls ,in a stationary driving position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM E. BIRKE'I.

Witnesses:

L. M. THURLOW, E. J. ABERsoL, 

